my first post!, I have an 88, 350. engine won't start unless I hit it with Starting fluid. seesm to run ok after start but turn it off and it wont start again after running and driving. we see that the injectors are not dispensing fuel while cranking the starter. I took the TBI off and cleaned it but can't see how to get the injector out of the TBI. is it worth it to buy the rebuild kit? <$30. the reman'd TBI is $379+. i'd like to try the rebuild first. any and all tips welcomed.
thanks.

 

WitchHunter Performance - Throttle Body injector removal

 

I have the same TBI simple to repair or replace. To pull injectors take top plate off top of injectors ( 8 screws ) then take a flat head screwdriver and put something in between it and top for leverage. The injector has a lip around the very top so put the srewdriver under the lip and pop the injector out. The tbi kit is simple and with gaskets to replace for the injectors to. I don't see a kit needed unless your fuel presure valve is leaking on the outside of the tbi. Why I say that is there is nothing to replace but gaskets and a spring.

 

Yea^^

Man,sounds like the check it valve is leaking in the fuel pump. Turn your key on,count to 3,turn it off,then back on,count to 3 then start the truck. does it start better? if so its the pump.

Whens the last time you changed the filter?

If you do buy a pump. you must buy ac delco pumps for these trucks.

 

Thanks for the replies. the TBI rebuild was pretty easy, once i figured out the Injectors are just and o-ring fit intot he injector body. but i still have the same issue, there's no fuel going into the intake manifold while trying to start. a shot of starting fluid will make it start and run. i can see the fuell flowing out of the injectors when it is running. there are no leaks at the regulator or the lines. next step change the filter, and blow out the lines. then on to the the pump/ tank.
i read lots of stuff about adding a spacer under the tbi, is this really a perfromance boost? are there consequences?

thanks for all the help and helpful suggestions.
Swims

 

You do get a performance boost, enough you'll notice but no supercharger lol. Have you checked the fuel pump relay? Sometimes they can be tedious

 

This is real funny but I know have the same problem you have. I have been jacking with my fuel - mileage problem for a year know. The day I answered your post I had replaced my new injectors with my old to see if they were a idol problem. I got my mileage problem solved with a new throttle position censor and 200.00 of other parts. I changed out injectors and it wouldn't start. I smelled gas, couldn't see how much was cumming out so I changed back to the new injectors and it still didn't start. I got mad and walked away from that SOB for a week. I'm back on it today, I'm going to try a shot of starter fluid to see if it stars. All and all we got the same problem it looks like. I'm getting fire, it has a new coil, wires all that crap new. Rebuilt the TBI which I said was nothing to it to be bad but leak. My idol was rough at fist till it warmed up. When taking off it would run good then cut back then run good till 40 up then run fine as long as you where past 40. I would stop and go in a store come out and it would idol better and run better, never right though. Every time was a different way it ran. So like I said I have been jacking with this over a year now and getting tired and never have the money. It seems that every thing I change helps a little but never right. I have a 87 2.8 61,000 actual miles. It is old but no miles and it was taken care of before me. I won't know how to act if it ran like it suppose to LOL. Looks like it boils down to injectors no gas. I know the injectors go in a certain way, the electronic studs are suppose to line up strait with each other when set right or it won't run right. Keep in touch I'm going out to get mad with my auto

 

I take no pleasurre hearing you have similar problems. my next step will be to R&R the filter and blow out the fuel lines from the TBI back to the filter.
it does not take much starting fluid, too much and it might flood. learned that the hard way. I'm also looking into fuel pressure gauges. I've read about some adjustable gauges that attach to the back of the TBI. I have 1988, 5.7.i too replaced the coil, cap, wires, and rotor first. Please keep posting your results.

swims

 

Well I have decided it is my computer. I have changed everything but it, if it's not the computer where can I get dynamite?

 

i replaced the fuel filter, during which I disconnected the lines from the back of the TBI and blew 50 psi thru both lines and got good flow. when i tried to start it after the filter, i did hear the fuel pump run for several seconds while it refilled the lines. it would not start, a shot of starting fluid and it fires up and runs, drove it around the block, turned it off and it will not start without SF. Throttle position sensor? could it be the injectors? they seem clean after the rebuild the TBI.